BWCA Daypack for BWCA and real life Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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ryanstewart
member (18)member
  
06/27/2021 11:32AM  
Does anybody have a daypack that adapts well to the BWCA and normal suburban dad life? I usually carry a small book-bag sized backpack in my canoe on day trips to hold lunch, bug spray, water, sunscreen, cameras, a book, and rain gear. I have been using my old college backpack (10 year old north face bag) but am looking to upgrade. When not canoeing, I use my bag to carry a laptop and lunch along with other daily things to and from work; I also use it on day trips to parks, day hiking trips, and to the zoo with the kids. Any suggestions?
 
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scramble4a5
distinguished member(586)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/27/2021 12:04PM  
This year I am going with a Grey Ghost Gear Gypsy pack. Kind of a modern take on a waxed canvas look but lots of storage options in the pack. No chest strap or waist belt but for a light day pack load it should do well.
 
06/27/2021 01:54PM  
A perfect bit of kit: CCS Rucksack
 
06/27/2021 01:59PM  
Are you looking for the pack to have a padded internal compartment for the laptop? Do you want external water bottle pockets?
 
andym
distinguished member(5340)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/27/2021 02:44PM  
Also take a look at the CCS Wanderer. It is similar to the Rucksack but a bit smaller. If you want external water pockets and the larger pack, Dan Cooke can add those to the Rucksack.

I like my Rucksack, partially because I tend to carry a lot of group gear such as the first aid kit. So the larger size is nice for canoeing. I also like that it works so well as a airline carryon. But it is bigger than I need for a pack around town. So, I use smaller packs for that and a messenger bag for work with my laptop. If I was going for an around town daypack that could handle my laptop, I would probably go with the Wanderer.

And with CCS gear, you support a local small business and you know you are getting approving glances from the canoeing cognoscenti you cross paths with. Of course, they won’t actually talk to you because they are being quiet to improve the chances of a wildlife sighting.
 
ryanstewart
member (18)member
  
06/27/2021 05:22PM  
A laptop case would be ideal, yes; would Mr. Cooke ever see that into a Wanderer pack? It may actually come down to that making or breaking the deal….maybe…
 
GickFirk22
distinguished member (175)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/27/2021 06:36PM  
ryanstewart: "A laptop case would be ideal, yes; would Mr. Cooke ever see that into a Wanderer pack? It may actually come down to that making or breaking the deal….maybe…"


Ryan, I own this pack and really like it for both work and weekend. Designated padded laptop bag and good organization. I haven’t ran it through super wet conditions but I imagine the material will hold back water for a bit. Its taken a good beating by me and is holding up well. I found the the sternum strap needs to be engaged as the shoulder straps seem to want to slide off from time to time. And I imagine the molded padding will soak up water if sitting in the bottom of a canoe. Other than that, I really like it.

Backcountry Adventure 30 Daypack
 
MReid
distinguished member (443)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/27/2021 07:31PM  
Use any pack that fits your other needs and just use a plastic bag liner for canoeing.
 
goetzc
senior member (52)senior membersenior member
  
06/27/2021 07:34PM  
I have one of these brand new that I got as a gift but haven’t used.
BlackRockGear Urban Bug-out-bag
Message me for details if you’d like to buy it.

I use and love my Hyperlite Mountain Gear Summit Pack for a lightweight daypack anywhere and everywhere. It isn’t for heavy hauling loads(minimalist shoulder straps) but it’s basically water/bulletproof,packs down to fit in a large pocket and weighs almost nothing.
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
06/27/2021 08:26PM  
Banksiana: "A perfect bit of kit: CCS Rucksack "

What Banks said.
 
06/27/2021 09:04PM  
I have added hiking and recently researching day packs and hydration packs. The market is saturated and with some looking on-line you can find something for everyone. The addition of chest and hip belts has sure improved the comfort over the college book bag. I chose a pack with hydration system as hiking is part of my be healthy routine and not what you are seeking, but it is a saturated market.
I would rate the rucksack a great one night out pack, but a bit large for a day pack. I love mine, I use it as the food and kitchen pack for my trips.
 
soundguy0918
distinguished member (113)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/28/2021 07:33AM  
I bought this in advance of my next trip after using a HEAVY SwissGear laptop bag last time. I wanted a dedicated SLR compartment and external water bottle pouch. It seems fairly well made but it's definitely lightweight, so I don't plan to weigh it down much. I got it on sale for < $50.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S1R9348/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
06/28/2021 10:38AM  
The CCS rucksack is a great option. Frost River also makes some beautiful packs; I had them create a custom pack for me 8 years ago that I use daily for work.

Frost River
 
06/28/2021 01:24PM  
I think a college bookbag with an added waterproof liner is just right for a bwca canoe daypack. But there are a lot of models to sift through to get just what you want.

I like something about 35 liters, boxy and relatively simple. One or two main compartments, plus 2 or 3 smaller accessory pockets. I typically use it for map/permit, food/water, DSLR gear (inside a separate, small, simple, padded camera case), 1st aid kit, water filter, folding saw, sunscreen/repellant, a place to stash a rain jacket, etc. I've never found anything I like better than the Jansport Big Student model. Jansport Big Student

The CCS rucksack is too big for my use as a daypack , but it all depends on how much you want to carry of course.

I wish I knew of a silnylon pack liner that was sized right for daypacks. SeatoSummit's smallest is 50 L which is still too big. Garbage bags are so clingy.
 
06/28/2021 01:43PM  
I like my REI Flash 22. It has several pockets, is very light weight, and the perfect size for me. I wear it on my front while portaging. It easily holds my tackle box and pump water filter.
 
gotwins
distinguished member (267)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/28/2021 08:14PM  
I have an old North Face Wasatch backpack that, yes, I bought and used in grad school for a backpack. Turns out, it's even better as a daypack for the BWCA. My old one (circa 1999) was starting to get some holes in the bottom. I was bummed thinking I'd never find a replacement. Then a google search turned me to the Wasatch Reissue pack. They are hard to find, but I did end up finding one and got it in the fall of 2019. Took it on its first trip to the BWCA this spring, and it's just the right size for me as a daypack. Held my binocs, rain gear, Kindle Paperwhite, first aid kit, snacks, PLB, phone/wallet/leatherman/ditch kit, compass, maps, sunscreen, bug dope, bug headnet, headlamp, etc. Perfect on portages while carrying the canoe. The side pockets will each hold a 1L nalgene bottle. It's listed as a 35L pack. The new version has a laptop sleeve in the main compartment. I might have to be on the lookout for another one as a backup.

I've also considered the BWJ Guide Pack or BWJ Wanderer Day Pack, but have only looked at them in the BWJ, never in person. Anyone have input on them? They both come in listed at ~28L, so maybe a touch smaller than my NF Wasatch.

Link to the NF pack.
North Face Wasatch
https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/wasatch-reissue-nf0a3kuq
 
06/29/2021 09:14AM  
I bought a daypack about 4 years ago to replace a Camel Back pack. A Granite Gear Virga 26 that is one of the most versatile I have owned. Very light in weight, roll top expandable yet due to the straps configuration I can shrink it down very small. Web waist belt to use as needed or that can be tucked away easily. It has a hang loop and port for hydration bladders, simple main bag 2 stretch side pockets and stretch back panel pocket.
This pack works walking around the Road America race track, exploring the AirVenture EAA flight lines, as a hiking day pack, spending a day in the woods squirrel hunting, and as a daypack for canoe tripping, the shouldered canoe fits on easily with the pack on my back.

butthead
 
SevenofNine
distinguished member(2472)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/02/2021 07:59PM  
I like Maxpedition products for a number of reasons. I own a Falcon 2, 23 liter tactical backpack. It works great as a day pack or computer bag.
 
tranquilwaters67
member (12)member
  
07/02/2021 08:38PM  
I've been replacing a good bit of gear this past year or two, as all of mine were getting to be 25, 30, or more years old. I'm very highly impressed with Fjallraven gear, which I only discovered a year or so ago. Have since bought a rucksack (which is now my canoe pack, as well as for skiing), tent, jacket, pants... quality and design, as well as their integrity and ethics, are consistently outstanding if the item fits your criteria.

I've also been leaning more towards waxed canvas stuff when appropriate; they make a couple of rucksacks which I think might be a great option for you. I'd highly recommend a look. They are pricey, but no more, and maybe less than Frost River for similar gear. very worth taking a look.
 
07/03/2021 05:55PM  
Osprey Tallon 22. It's very high quality, but if there is a problem Osprey has a ridiculous basically no questions asked warranty
 
mpswid0
member (45)member
  
07/04/2021 04:47PM  
I second Osprey packs. Between my wife and I, I think we own 5 of them. They have plenty of different models and sizes to choose from, that there’s bound to be something for your needs. They are a little pricy, but buy once, cry once.

Matt
 
StLouisPaddler
senior member (77)senior membersenior member
  
07/06/2021 09:14PM  
A1t2o: "I like my REI Flash 22. It has several pockets, is very light weight, and the perfect size for me. I wear it on my front while portaging. It easily holds my tackle box and pump water filter."


+1
 
PeaceFrog
distinguished member (339)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/07/2021 02:46PM  
ryanstewart: "Does anybody have a daypack that adapts well to the BWCA and normal suburban dad life? I usually carry a small book-bag sized backpack in my canoe on day trips to hold lunch, bug spray, water, sunscreen, cameras, a book, and rain gear. I have been using my old college backpack (10 year old north face bag) but am looking to upgrade. When not canoeing, I use my bag to carry a laptop and lunch along with other daily things to and from work; I also use it on day trips to parks, day hiking trips, and to the zoo with the kids. Any suggestions?"


I'm trying something new this go around. I purchased a 30L dry pack for our daytrips. Been using it while wading our local creeks and fishing. Nice to know everything will be dry if a storm whips up or I get waist deep in the creek. So far so good.
 
doubledown
distinguished member (111)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/07/2021 04:06PM  
Fellow dad and had same predicament years ago.

This one has has taken a lot of abuse and looks the same. It doesn’t have padding for a laptop but that’s the only place it falls short.

https://www.amazon.com/Såk-Gear-BackSåk-Waterproof-Backpack/dp/B06XDWHGH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=skogakust+dry+bags&qid=1625691853&sprefix=skogakust&sr=8-4
 
PVnRT
senior member (86)senior membersenior member
  
07/08/2021 09:52PM  
Hubertus make backpacks that last. Highly recommend.

Rucksack from Hubertus
 
ockycamper
distinguished member(1372)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/09/2021 03:49PM  
I would second Maxpedition

Canoe style rucksacks are hardly suited for "real life". They are also a lot heavier then other packs

The typical backpacking pack is also not really set up for an EDC style pack back and forth to work as they are primarily just one big open pocket.

Check out the Entity line of Maxpedition. They have packs in all sizes, styles and types that are designed to "blend in". I have used these for BWCA trips, and also use them for work, baseball games, and EDC purposes.

They don't look like backpacking packs. They don't look like canoe packs. And most of all they don't look tactical. They are the epitome of "grey man"
 
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